He has even mastered Haki, and you say this is Naruto?

Sasuke glanced outside the door—it was already surrounded by pirates.

A kunai slid silently from his sleeve; Sasuke had entered full combat mode.

"A ninja, huh? As expected, you ninja types are always up to no good."

The pirate at the door sneered as he saw the kunai in Sasuke's hand and drew his short sword.

Seeing this, the burly man from earlier spoke up.

"Put your weapons away.

If you need those blades just to deal with a few brats, you might as well go home and knit sweaters.

The Blade-less Pirate Crew doesn't strike at the weak."

Hearing that, the other pirates paused, then understood.

Right—they had faced powerful ninjas from the Hidden Mist Village before. These were just a few kids. Ninja kids, at that.

"Jin is right. Put the weapons away."

"If we need blades to take on some kids, what kind of pirates are we?"

Some of the higher-ups chimed in too. Even as pirates, they had their own sense of honor.

Maybe they didn't before, but after spending time with Zabuza and going through so many things, their beliefs had changed.

That belief took root the moment they dared to face powerful ninjas head-on.

They were pirates of a new era, after all!

"Naruto... The name 'Uzumaki' is not something just anyone can carry."

Jin said solemnly.

They had once asked why their captain didn't sail with Shanks. Zabuza's answer was simple:

Because the name Uzumaki... was too heavy.

He wasn't worthy of bearing that name alongside that man. Only that man could carry it.

But even their captain bore some kind of burden. Something none of them truly understood.

So this wasn't just about defending a name.

It was about something more:

"If even our captain couldn't carry it… what makes you think you can?"

"I don't know what this name carries," Naruto responded.

"But I—Uzumaki Naruto—will make everyone acknowledge me and recognize my name.

I've never been called a freak. Never been a demon fox.

My name is—Uzumaki Naruto."

His voice was filled with unshakable conviction. He wasn't a brat, a freak, or a monster.

He was Uzumaki Naruto, and that name meant something.

"I'm going to become the Hokage!"

Before Naruto finished speaking, Jin's massive frame charged forward, casting a giant shadow over him.

No techniques, no tricks—only pure speed and strength.

"Hokage? Don't talk big!"

A powerful punch smashed into Naruto, sending him flying.

The fight had begun.

Sasuke and Sakura reacted instantly. Even they sheathed their weapons—these were just pirates, after all.

"Becoming Hokage... that's my belief too!"

Though Naruto had been sent flying, he wasn't seriously hurt. He charged back again.

He refused to lose.

Why couldn't he carry the name Uzumaki?

"Belief? Ninjas... can't possibly have something like that!"

Jin roared, whipping his leg toward Naruto.

The kick was fast, slicing through the air with a whoosh.

Jin's strength and speed far surpassed that of ordinary men.

BANG!

Naruto raised one hand to block. The impact sent tremors through his arm, but he pivoted mid-air off his leg and twisted in a flip—

BANG!

BOOM!

Both Jin and Naruto landed powerful blows on each other.

Jin was kicked flying, while Naruto smashed into the ground.

No ninjutsu, only pure taijutsu. He had his own nindō—his way of the ninja.

So did Sasuke and Sakura.

Sasuke had his pride—he wouldn't stoop to using techniques here.

And Sakura? She didn't even know how to use any. In a chaotic brawl like this, there was no time to form hand signs.

"Kuh!"

Jin coughed, blood dribbling from the corner of his mouth.

Naruto's kick had swollen half his face.

"Just... a little ninja…"

Through his blurred vision, he saw Naruto standing up again.

Step.

Step.

Step.

Jin staggered toward him. Around him, his comrades were falling one after another.

These ninja kids… were even stronger than the ones they faced a few days ago.

This was the gap between them and real ninja.

The difference between ordinary people and trained shinobi.

"I still don't believe it."

Jin's speed surged again, steps quickening.

But compared to Naruto, the gap was just too wide.

BANG!

Jin threw another massive punch.

This time, Naruto dodged with ease, then struck Jin square in the chest.

"Uncle, why don't you take a nap?"

CLANG!

A crisp sound rang in Naruto's ears.

Jin's chest had turned pitch-black.

Naruto's strike had done no damage.

The other pirates were shocked too.

"Jin… He actually mastered Iron Body?!"

"Damn it… someone beat me to it."

Many pirates clenched their teeth, struggling to stand.

They weren't ordinary men. Sasuke and Sakura couldn't just knock them all out with fists alone.

Even if they were ninja—don't underestimate a pirate's belief.

"CHARGE!"

They scrambled up and rushed Sasuke and Sakura again.

Meanwhile, though Jin was heavily injured, he still hadn't fallen.

Naruto's strikes were all blocked by Jin's Iron Body, while most of Jin's blows couldn't even hit Naruto.

"Fall? Why would I fall so easily!"

"Even the captain's blade—I took that! You think your fists scare me?"

Jin roared.

There was a long scar on his chest—left behind by Zabuza.

It was from when Cardo sent thugs after Zabuza.

Zabuza had taken down all of them single-handedly.

Though he spared most of the pirates—not going all-out on any but the true threats.

As for those who fell into the sea and got crushed by the ship... that was just bad luck.

Jin... had once been one of those ordinary men.

BANG!

Naruto couldn't dodge this time. Jin's fist sent him flying.

Everyone had their beliefs—whether it was Naruto, or Jin.

Naruto slowly stood up, covered in cuts. His clothes were tattered.

"Naruto… The Land of Waves is not for you ninja to meddle in!"

Jin charged, fists full of rage, muscles twisted, blood boiling.

Naruto stood frozen, not dodging at all.

Just as the punch reached his face, something clicked inside Naruto. He looked up and smiled.

"Naruto!!"

Sasuke and Sakura shouted in shock.

BOOM!

Jin's punch landed square on Naruto's face.

His body flew like a kite with its string cut, tumbling through the air.

He crashed near Sasuke's feet.

"Damn it!"

At that moment, Sasuke truly got angry.

His dark pupils turned crimson. Black tomoe emerged from within—his Sharingan had awakened.

The kunai he had previously sheathed was now in his hand again.

"Sasuke!"